Taiwan inflates in seven minutes, Beijing takes all night — Hofman: The technology is amazing

Reported and photographed by Yóu t
rú and Chén Zīyín, Kaohsiung

Despite the approaching Typhoon Usagi, Kaohsiung enjoyed sunny weather today (19th), with crowds gathering at Pier-2 Art Center and Glory Pier to catch the official arrival of the "Yellow Rubber Duck." The duck, expected to arrive at Glory Pier around 4 p.m., was fully inflated during the morning rehearsal — taking just seven minutes. Even designer Florentijn Hofman remarked that Taiwan’s inflation technique is astonishing.

In an exclusive interview with ETtoday Ettoday News Cloud, Kaohsiung City Government Information Bureau Director Lài Ruìlóng said that Kaohsiung’s Yellow Rubber Duck stands 18 meters tall and weighs 1,000 kilograms — more than double the size and weight of Hong Kong’s 16.5-meter, 500-kilogram version. “This shows our duck is built sturdier,” Lài said. This time, a higher-tonnage inflator was specially used, allowing the duck to go from “yolk” to fully hatched in just seven minutes. In Beijing, the process took a whole night. “Designer Hofman was very surprised by Taiwan’s technology.”

To prevent the Yellow Rubber Duck from deflating, a hidden blower inside its hollow belly keeps it inflated. During the morning rehearsal, to ensure the machine functioned properly, staff entered the duck’s interior, set off from Pier-2 Special District by sea, and sailed for nearly an hour to reach Glory Pier. Throughout the trip, they had to stay alert while enduring the heat.

Lài pointed out that the Yellow Rubber Duck has been touring since 2007, visiting 15 cities including Amsterdam, Sydney, and Osaka, spreading messages of love and peace. The entire production process of the Kaohsiung exhibit is Made in Taiwan (MIT). Nanya provided the duck skin material, Atmosphere Company reinforced the skin’s durability and handled sewing, Kaohsiung-based CSBC Corporation, Marine Design & Research Institute of China designed the floating platform, and Yùpǐn Company managed water transport operations — all contributing to this inaugural exhibition.

>>>>> See more photos of the Yellow Rubber Duck launching on the 19th here<<<<<